Imran Arshad's articles - Exodus Travels' Experts

Olly Leicester

Driven by a primal urge to feed and breed, many of the world’s wildlife species spend much of their lives on the move. Whether wildebeest in search of greener pastures in east Africa or whales seeking out plankton blooms, these epic migrations are amongst the greatest wildlife spectacles you will ever encounter. Pretty in Pink…

Eating up the ochre and gold miles of Jordan’s desert on two wheels is its own reward. The small pleasures of the occasional cool breeze, views you’ll only get from the saddle and the sense of satisfaction as you settle down to a dizzying array of intriguing meze at end of a good day’s cycle…

Little shot glasses of viscous amber liquid are waiting for us as soon as we walk through the door. Peter proudly tells us it is brewed only in Slovakia, with Tatra stream water. Peter is our leader. The drink tastes sweet and potent. It takes effect instantly. We eat. Most of us try the sheep-cheese…

I was convinced they were snake tracks. “Possibly desert foxes, some look like beetles maybe.” our guide Salah soothed me. It was early morning in the desert, the first rays of the dawn dancing upon the sand, and I’d woken up surrounded by various animal tracks. Despite Salah’s reassurances, I still eye the tracks suspiciously….

Exodus’ new Product Manager for Morocco, Simon Clifford, hadn’t been to Morocco for five years. When he returned, his visit was totally different. The question is, what had really changed …? Coming from a career in luxury travel, I was certainly wondering what to expect from my journey into the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. I’d…

All too often the first couple of months of the year are scarred by broken resolutions and shattered fitness aspirations. Don’t let 2015 go the same way; let us awaken your motivational mojo! Travel plans are a powerful motivator – there’s no better way to prompt those gym visits than the promise of the ultimate…

Exodus has been operating holidays in Trins for more than 30 years. As with everywhere we visit, we aim to support the local community. One of the ways we provide support in Trins is by making donations to the Steinach/Gschnitztal Mountain Rescue Team. The Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers, and provides…

The Christmas festivities may be over, but now a new and even more exciting challenge beckons… planning your 2015 adventures! Don’t be overwhelmed by the staggering array of choice though, our travel experts are on hand with the inside track on the best places to be this year… From the snow-dusted turrets of Bran Castle…

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” ~ Ranulph Fiennes To get the most enjoyment out of a once in a lifetime journey to the Polar Regions, thorough preparation is key. It is important to take the right kit for the environment and the activities you plan to do during your trip. Although we…

The results are in! The standard was remarkably high – Paul Goldstein and fellow judge Mark Cawardine spent hours poring over the entries to our Go Wild wildlife photography competition, endlessly debating back and forth which were the very best of this year’s many entries. Eventually, decisions were made. Here are the top 5… Simon…

I’m not used to waking up in complete darkness – but neither am I used to brushing my teeth on a balcony looking deep into branches of a frozen forest, pine needles glinting in the reflected light from my twin cabin. Yet this was how I started every day at Basecamp Oulanka, wrapped in thermals…

Since the dawn of the age of cinema, filmmakers have gone in search of the Earth’s most dramatic, visually intense landscapes in which to capture their stories. Of the many incredible locations on film, perhaps the most suited to the big (and little) screen is Iceland – a surreal, otherworldly expanse of volcanic topography and…

Iceland is fast emerging in a blaze of sub-Arctic sunshine as one of the top adventure travel destinations of the moment. Its all-round appeal is undeniable: wintry pilgrimages to see the ethereal Northern Lights, wildlife enthusiasts taking to the seas for a chance to spot Orcas, humpbacks and dolphins cavorting in the waves, or the…

Not just one night, but five: the definitive journey by rail is the Trans-Siberian. The longest railway in the world passes three countries, five time zones and over 4,700 miles of track. Epic is, for once, not an exaggeration. From roubles to noodles, the train traverses Russia from Moscow’s Red Square before snaking through Mongolia…

New for this year, we have welcomed South Korea onto the Exodus map with open arms and hungry bellies. On top of ancient history, modern cities and phenomenal landscapes, Korea’s food is one of its main lures. Join us on a brief culinary buffet through some of the best dishes this fascinating country has to…

Travelling is always exhilarating: the initial journey full of anticipation, knowing there will be new things to see, different cultures to experience, and new, mouth-watering foods to sample. But never has it been more exciting than on my way to Tanzania this summer with my partner Chris and his ten year old son Ed. This…

The hotly anticipated 2015-16 Family Adventures brochure is here, and the eagle-eyed may have spotted a familiar, friendly face on the back cover … Exodus’ very own Managing Director, travel expert and father of three: Pete Burrell. Click here to order our Family Adventures brochure. The Burrell Family, As Seen In… “I have a love…

Clouds on the final approach cast a gloomy grey cloak over both the capital and my mood. Insulated in thermal, fleece and Goretex, I shuffled gingerly across the ice-caked tarmac and boarded the bus with little optimism for the evening ahead. Despite Teutonic levels of organisation – I’d timed my arrival midway through the lunar…

1. Topes de Collantes – Cuban Highlights Ride - day 6 What makes this ride unique is the awesome variety of scenery and terrain that you’ll experience over the course of the day. Leaving Trinidad and its nearby beaches behind, an incredibly scenic transfer journey winds up a serpentine road through ever changing jungle scenery. Most…

Whilst the island of Cuba is a friendly and exciting patchwork of colour and creativity, unfortunately the same cannot be said for some of the state-run hotels that still provide the vast majority of accommodation for tourists. They can be a bit of a drab affair in some destinations, and often accentuate the already significant…

With the spookiest time of the year upon us, Adventure HQ is getting into the spirit of things. We’re forever haunted by the spectres of visas, stamps yet to go in the passport and the ghoulish task of grappling with the age-old question: where next? But more than anything, we’re getting thrills off the creepiest…

We pride ourselves on our pioneering collection of adventures, each year going bigger and better than the year before, and 2015 will be no exception. To celebrate the arrival of new cycling brochure, we asked our cycling experts to tell us a bit more about their new two-wheeled offerings. Their responses shed light on the…

It was with great excitement and only a little trepidation that the Exodus duo of Andy Ross and Andrew Appleyard set off to Cape Town for the 37th Cape Argus Cycle Tour. This annual tour is the world’s largest timed cycle event, with as many as 35,000 riders challenging themselves on the hilly 109km route. Although…

Autumn is a magical time of year, particularly for outdoor lovers. As the leaves begin to fall, forests turn into a riot of colour, as if painted red and gold. Before the cold of winter sets in, autumn is the perfect time to head out and explore our beautiful planet, from forest-cloaked mountain foothills to…

Exodus’ adventure experts have travelled to all seven continents, visiting over 200 countries collectively. Over the past forty years we’ve come across plenty of weird and wonderful things, from peculiar toilets to unusual cultural traditions. Something that always catches our attention though is an amusing sign, so here’s an amuse bouche of the funniest signs…

The steaming cup comes with a side order of smirk. The chipped cup is with no saucer, held out by Dawa, a young man who gives birdlike jerks of encouragement. His eyes twinkle in a way ill-designed to put anyone at ease. Beside him, rock-steady Pasang has folded his fingers into a tent across his…

Olly Leicester

About

Australia Sales Consultant

Joined 2005

After a couple of backpacking trips to far flung places, the travel industry seemed the obvious path for Olly. Since joining Exodus, he’s been fortunate enough to continue his travels on ‘work’ trips as often as possible. Thanks to Exodus he’s developed a passion for trekking, and has been sent up Mont Blanc, Mt Toubkal, Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Stok Kangri, Mt Triglav, and the Inca Trail. He now resides in the Sales team.

Recent Articles

Driven by a primal urge to feed and breed, many of the world’s wildlife species spend much of their lives on the move. Whether wildebeest in search of greener pastures in east Africa or whales seeking out plankton blooms, these epic migrations are amongst the greatest wildlife spectacles you will ever encounter. Pretty in Pink…

Eating up the ochre and gold miles of Jordan’s desert on two wheels is its own reward. The small pleasures of the occasional cool breeze, views you’ll only get from the saddle and the sense of satisfaction as you settle down to a dizzying array of intriguing meze at end of a good day’s cycle…

Little shot glasses of viscous amber liquid are waiting for us as soon as we walk through the door. Peter proudly tells us it is brewed only in Slovakia, with Tatra stream water. Peter is our leader. The drink tastes sweet and potent. It takes effect instantly. We eat. Most of us try the sheep-cheese…

I was convinced they were snake tracks. “Possibly desert foxes, some look like beetles maybe.” our guide Salah soothed me. It was early morning in the desert, the first rays of the dawn dancing upon the sand, and I’d woken up surrounded by various animal tracks. Despite Salah’s reassurances, I still eye the tracks suspiciously….

Exodus’ new Product Manager for Morocco, Simon Clifford, hadn’t been to Morocco for five years. When he returned, his visit was totally different. The question is, what had really changed …? Coming from a career in luxury travel, I was certainly wondering what to expect from my journey into the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. I’d…

All too often the first couple of months of the year are scarred by broken resolutions and shattered fitness aspirations. Don’t let 2015 go the same way; let us awaken your motivational mojo! Travel plans are a powerful motivator – there’s no better way to prompt those gym visits than the promise of the ultimate…

Exodus has been operating holidays in Trins for more than 30 years. As with everywhere we visit, we aim to support the local community. One of the ways we provide support in Trins is by making donations to the Steinach/Gschnitztal Mountain Rescue Team. The Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers, and provides…

The Christmas festivities may be over, but now a new and even more exciting challenge beckons… planning your 2015 adventures! Don’t be overwhelmed by the staggering array of choice though, our travel experts are on hand with the inside track on the best places to be this year… From the snow-dusted turrets of Bran Castle…

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” ~ Ranulph Fiennes To get the most enjoyment out of a once in a lifetime journey to the Polar Regions, thorough preparation is key. It is important to take the right kit for the environment and the activities you plan to do during your trip. Although we…

The results are in! The standard was remarkably high – Paul Goldstein and fellow judge Mark Cawardine spent hours poring over the entries to our Go Wild wildlife photography competition, endlessly debating back and forth which were the very best of this year’s many entries. Eventually, decisions were made. Here are the top 5… Simon…

I’m not used to waking up in complete darkness – but neither am I used to brushing my teeth on a balcony looking deep into branches of a frozen forest, pine needles glinting in the reflected light from my twin cabin. Yet this was how I started every day at Basecamp Oulanka, wrapped in thermals…

Since the dawn of the age of cinema, filmmakers have gone in search of the Earth’s most dramatic, visually intense landscapes in which to capture their stories. Of the many incredible locations on film, perhaps the most suited to the big (and little) screen is Iceland – a surreal, otherworldly expanse of volcanic topography and…

Iceland is fast emerging in a blaze of sub-Arctic sunshine as one of the top adventure travel destinations of the moment. Its all-round appeal is undeniable: wintry pilgrimages to see the ethereal Northern Lights, wildlife enthusiasts taking to the seas for a chance to spot Orcas, humpbacks and dolphins cavorting in the waves, or the…

Not just one night, but five: the definitive journey by rail is the Trans-Siberian. The longest railway in the world passes three countries, five time zones and over 4,700 miles of track. Epic is, for once, not an exaggeration. From roubles to noodles, the train traverses Russia from Moscow’s Red Square before snaking through Mongolia…

New for this year, we have welcomed South Korea onto the Exodus map with open arms and hungry bellies. On top of ancient history, modern cities and phenomenal landscapes, Korea’s food is one of its main lures. Join us on a brief culinary buffet through some of the best dishes this fascinating country has to…

Travelling is always exhilarating: the initial journey full of anticipation, knowing there will be new things to see, different cultures to experience, and new, mouth-watering foods to sample. But never has it been more exciting than on my way to Tanzania this summer with my partner Chris and his ten year old son Ed. This…

The hotly anticipated 2015-16 Family Adventures brochure is here, and the eagle-eyed may have spotted a familiar, friendly face on the back cover … Exodus’ very own Managing Director, travel expert and father of three: Pete Burrell. Click here to order our Family Adventures brochure. The Burrell Family, As Seen In… “I have a love…

Clouds on the final approach cast a gloomy grey cloak over both the capital and my mood. Insulated in thermal, fleece and Goretex, I shuffled gingerly across the ice-caked tarmac and boarded the bus with little optimism for the evening ahead. Despite Teutonic levels of organisation – I’d timed my arrival midway through the lunar…

1. Topes de Collantes – Cuban Highlights Ride - day 6 What makes this ride unique is the awesome variety of scenery and terrain that you’ll experience over the course of the day. Leaving Trinidad and its nearby beaches behind, an incredibly scenic transfer journey winds up a serpentine road through ever changing jungle scenery. Most…

Whilst the island of Cuba is a friendly and exciting patchwork of colour and creativity, unfortunately the same cannot be said for some of the state-run hotels that still provide the vast majority of accommodation for tourists. They can be a bit of a drab affair in some destinations, and often accentuate the already significant…

With the spookiest time of the year upon us, Adventure HQ is getting into the spirit of things. We’re forever haunted by the spectres of visas, stamps yet to go in the passport and the ghoulish task of grappling with the age-old question: where next? But more than anything, we’re getting thrills off the creepiest…

We pride ourselves on our pioneering collection of adventures, each year going bigger and better than the year before, and 2015 will be no exception. To celebrate the arrival of new cycling brochure, we asked our cycling experts to tell us a bit more about their new two-wheeled offerings. Their responses shed light on the…

It was with great excitement and only a little trepidation that the Exodus duo of Andy Ross and Andrew Appleyard set off to Cape Town for the 37th Cape Argus Cycle Tour. This annual tour is the world’s largest timed cycle event, with as many as 35,000 riders challenging themselves on the hilly 109km route. Although…

Autumn is a magical time of year, particularly for outdoor lovers. As the leaves begin to fall, forests turn into a riot of colour, as if painted red and gold. Before the cold of winter sets in, autumn is the perfect time to head out and explore our beautiful planet, from forest-cloaked mountain foothills to…

Exodus’ adventure experts have travelled to all seven continents, visiting over 200 countries collectively. Over the past forty years we’ve come across plenty of weird and wonderful things, from peculiar toilets to unusual cultural traditions. Something that always catches our attention though is an amusing sign, so here’s an amuse bouche of the funniest signs…

The steaming cup comes with a side order of smirk. The chipped cup is with no saucer, held out by Dawa, a young man who gives birdlike jerks of encouragement. His eyes twinkle in a way ill-designed to put anyone at ease. Beside him, rock-steady Pasang has folded his fingers into a tent across his…